Nelson, British Columbia became an overnight sensation in 1986 when actor/director Steve Martin produced the feature film Roxanne in Nelson, with the local fire hall being the primary set. Nelson is a quaint town nestled in the Selkirk Mountains on the western arm of Kootenay Lake. Nelson is commonly referred to as the Queen City and has numerous restored heritage buildings still in use from the silver rush days. While Vancouver is about seven and a half hours away by car, it's only an hour away by plane, and Nelson sits only 35 minutes from the Castlegar Airport.
Look for an RV rental in Nelson and explore the city and surrounding areas. Grand Forks, BC is only about an hour and a half to the southwest of Nelson and sits on the Canadian border. You can even drive into the United States and visit Spokane, Washington, about three hours to the south. Book an RV in Nelson and plan a relaxing vacation while learning more about this historic city.
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While visiting Nelson, be sure to try your hand skiing on some of the best powder north of the border. Look for a trailer rental in British Columbia and pack your ski equipment for a weekend of fresh snow, exhilarating slopes, and lots of fun. There are ski resorts in the area that will help you get started if you are new to skiing. You can learn from professionally trained Snow School and Snow Safety staff to ensure you learn safety first and can enjoy the experience of zooming down a mountainside on skis.
Nature lovers venturing through Nelson should visit Rotary Lakeside Park. This park is a splash of green among the hustle and bustle of the city and is a popular place for visitors to enjoy swimming, splashing in the lake, or just relaxing along the sandy beach. The park is located near the foot of Nelson’s orange bridge. Children can play on the adventure playground while teens and adults enjoy the bocce ball and tennis courts. There's a boat launch in the park for smaller boats and watercraft, as well as a fully restored streetcar on display in the park.
Stop by Gyro Park for a few hours of relaxing within this unique, wooded park. Several walking trails wind through the trees. Relax and enjoy a picnic while taking in the scenic mountain views. Climb up to the lookout in Gyro Park and look down on downtown Nelson. Bring your camera along to capture some bird’s eye views of Nelson while in Gyro Park.
Park your luxury campervan rental at Nelson City Campgrounds, located just minutes from downtown. The campgrounds are open during the warm months and include cooking facilities and a shared laundry for campers. Wi-Fi is available at all campsites, and several have electric hookups. RVs up to 40 feet in length can pull into the campgrounds.
Alternatively, head over to Central Kootenay and the Cool Waters RV Park. This campground boasts several campsites with creek access, as well as 15- or 30-amp electric and water hookups. Clean restrooms and shower houses are within walking distance of most campsites.
Klines RV Park in Nelson is a great place to unwind, so if you don't own a motorhome, rent an RV and spend the weekend unwinding. This RV park is self-contained and offers full hookups. Pets are welcome but must remain leashed and be cleaned up after. Wi-Fi is available throughout the park, but there are no shower facilities.
What fun is booking a motorhome rental in Nelson if you don't get out and explore the city? Visit the Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History. Visitors will enjoy learning about the resourcefulness of the former inhabitants of the area. There are visual and interactive displays, including First People, First Culture, First Land, an introduction to the Ktunaxa and Sinixt Nations. Another exhibit is Way Down in the Mines, which covers the beginning of Nelson’s economic history through the silver rush. Visitors will be transported through time, learning about the triumphs and heartbreaks that helped shape the city and surrounding area.
Many people come to see the Nelson Fire and Rescue Hall, where fire technology has evolved from its very beginnings, when bucket brigades were the only way to put out a fire to the times of wagons pulled by horses to current fire engines. In 1891, the first firefighters began serving the city to protect the city from a serial arsonist. The current Nelson Fire and Rescue Hall was completed in 1913. This is the same location where many of the scenes from Roxanne were filmed in 1986.
Downtown Nelson is a sight to see, especially historic Baker Street. People enjoy milling around on Baker Street and taking in the different sights, visiting shops and cafes along the way. Stop in at a local coffeehouse and catch up on local news, or visit the specialty shops where you're sure to find that perfect souvenir or Christmas gift for a loved one.
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